Prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with unilateral complete cleft of the primary and secondary palate.

The goal of this paper was to present the orthodontic treatment of a patient with unilateral lip, alveolar and hard palate cleft (UCLP) and the agenesis of permanent teeth and prosthetic rehabilitation of two cases differing from each other in the extent of tissue deficiency. Both patients underwent a long, multi-specialist surgico-orthodontic treatment including derotation of the maxilla's smaller segment and restoration of space for the missing teeth. In the first case presented, cross-bite on the front teeth and the canine was eliminated during a late phase of orthodontic treatment in order to prepare for final prosthetic rehabilitation. Two prosthetic restorations in patients with similar dental anomalies (hypodontia of the right upper incisors) were presented and discussed in detail. Prosthetic rehabilitation with cemented restoration was carried out after the end of growth. Satisfactory function of the orthognathic system and face appearance were accomplished. In both cases cemented prosthetic restorations preserve the treatment outcome and bite stability. The results were excellent and satisfying for the patients. The patient who presented more extensive tissue distortion has retained correct bite and prosthetic restorations for 20 years. The patient whose correction of the malocclusion and the cemented prosthetic restoration was completed is also predicted to maintain long-standing oral health and good functioning of the masticatory system.